Photos, news and map of the great Tomb in Amphipolis, Greece

The Caryatids

The excavation has brought to light two exceptional Caryatids. The West Caryatid has a wonderful, almost intact face, while the face of the East Caryatid has fractured, but many of the broken pieces are in place.

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The West Caryatid fully excavated

The total height of the Caryatids with the base/wall is 3.67 meters. This photo also shows the dramatic full height of the 2nd chamber along with the Marble sidewalls, Pilasters and classic detailing.

Date: 9/2014 source: ΥΠΠΟ

The Marble base of the Caryatids

The Marble base/walls are 1.40m high, 1.36m wide and 0.72m deep.

Date: 9/2014 source: ΥΠΠΟ

Removal of the last blocks of the barrier wall

Workers are shown carefully removing the last two rows of stone blocks that formed the barrier wall in front of the Caryatid chamber.

Date: 9/2014 source: ΥΠΠΟ

The East Caryatid

On the surface of the East Caryatid one can see areas of red colouring.

Date: 9/2014 source: ΥΠΠΟ

The West Caryatid in full-height

Each Caryatid is 2,27m high and stand 1,68m distance from each other. The elegant figures of the Caryatides have been fully uncovered and now show their Ionic Chiton [ankle length, belted garment] with all of the fine carving on these magnificent female figures.

Date: 9/2014 source: ΥΠΠΟ

The marble base of the Caryatids

Each Caryatid is standing on a marble base of 1,33m width and 0,68m depth. At the time the picture was taken (21/9/2014), the known height of the base was 0,30m.

Date: 9/2014 source: ΥΠΠΟ

The left foot of the West Caryatid

This detail photo shows the beautifully carved toes and the sandal [kothornoi; raised sole shoe] on her foot, with traces of red and yellow pigment.

Date: 9/2014 source: ΥΠΠΟ

The feet of the West Caryatid

A close-up detail of the feet of the West Caryatid.

Date: 9/2014 source: ΥΠΠΟ

The broken arm of the East Caryatid

Caryatid: a stone carving of a draped female figure, used as a pillar to support a [classic] Greek building.

Date: 9/2014 source: ΥΠΠΟ

The Tunic of the West Caryatid

Date: 9/2014 source: ΥΠΠΟ

The full body of the West Caryatid

Date: 9/2014 source: ΥΠΠΟ

Excavators carefully uncover the Caryatid figures

Date: 9/2014 source: ΥΠΠΟ

Conservators restoring the broken face of the East Caryatid

Date: 9/2014 source: ΥΠΠΟ

Close-up of the West Caryatid head

A wonderful view of the West Caryatid head, as it is uncovered.

Date: 9/2014 source: https://www.facebook.com/annapanagiotarea

Conservators cleaning the West Caryatid

The conservators carefully working to clean the West Caryatid head and body.

Date: 9/2014 source: https://www.facebook.com/annapanagiotarea

The first day the Caryatids came to light

The Archaeologists, at the wall of the second Portal, uncover a wonderful moment in the excavation, as a Caryatid is revealed.

Date: 9/2014 source: ΥΠΠΟ

The Caryatid on the West

The head being cleaned on the figure of a classic Caryatid reveals one of the carved wonders, discovered in the Tomb.

Date: 9/2014 source: ΥΠΠΟ

The elegant curls of the Caryatids

Both Caryatids are carved with very detailed [curled] hair that falls over their shoulders.

Date: 9/2014 source: ΥΠΠΟ

The damaged face of the East Caryatid

The face is damaged and the arm is broken, but the East Caryatid originally had one of her hands outstretched to symbolically keep out anyone who would attempt to enter the Tomb.

Date: 9/2014 source: ΥΠΠΟ

The barrier wall in front of the Caryatids

Now revealed, is a second limestone barrier wall [4.5 meters wide], like the one before the Sphinx Entry. This wall, in front of the Caryatid Portal, is to further protect the Tomb from anyone trying to enter and hold in place all the sand that was placed in this and other chambers.